Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has reignited the debate on the ownership and management of stadiums in Kenya, calling for a significant shift from government control to private ownership. His argument is centered on promoting investment, commercialization, and reducing the financial strain on taxpayers. Murkomen’s statements have sparked conversation about the long-term sustainability of the current model, which he says is failing to unlock the full potential of Kenya’s sports sector.
Using the examples of Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, two of Kenya’s most famous football clubs, Murkomen pointed out the glaring issue: neither of these storied clubs has managed to own or build a stadium, despite being in existence for over 60 years. The Cabinet Secretary believes this is not just an issue of funding but a symptom of larger structural problems that affect sports development in Kenya.
Murkomen’s vision for the future of sports infrastructure in Kenya is clear: privatization of stadiums through public-private partnerships (PPPs) and other investment models to drive commercialization and ensure better management.
The Case for Private Stadium Ownership
One of Murkomen’s core arguments is that the government should not be in the business of owning and managing sports facilities. He emphasized that globally, governments rarely own stadiums, particularly in countries with thriving sports industries. Instead, private companies or clubs typically own and manage stadiums, making them commercially viable while contributing to sports development.
“A country like the UK provides an ideal model. The only stadium owned by the government is Wembley, while the rest are owned by private companies and sports clubs,” Murkomen explained. By using the UK as an example, Murkomen highlighted the benefits of this approach: private ownership allows for better commercialization of facilities, turning them into revenue-generating entities that benefit both the clubs and the broader economy.
Murkomen further argued that in Kenya, the lack of private ownership has led to poor maintenance of stadiums, with the government regularly spending billions to refurbish facilities that could be better managed by private entities. The current system, he said, is costing taxpayers significant amounts of money without delivering meaningful returns.
Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards: A Missed Opportunity?
In his call for private ownership of stadiums, Murkomen specifically mentioned Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, two of Kenya’s most beloved football clubs. Despite their immense popularity and long-standing history, neither club owns a stadium, a fact that Murkomen described as “a big shame.”
“It’s been over sixty years since independence, and none of our football clubs own a stadium. That is a significant failure in our sports sector,” Murkomen lamented. He pointed to this as an example of how the current system is stifling the growth of local sports.
Had these clubs owned their stadiums, Murkomen argued, they would have had more opportunities to generate revenue through commercial events, sponsorships, and other activities. This revenue could be reinvested into the clubs to strengthen their competitiveness both locally and internationally. Furthermore, private ownership would provide clubs like Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards the stability they need to plan long-term, allowing them to grow into self-sustaining entities that are not dependent on government funding or subsidies.
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Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): The Way Forward
Murkomen’s solution to the current problem lies in exploring public-private partnerships (PPPs) and other private-sector investment models. By enabling private companies, clubs, or investors to build and manage sports infrastructure, Kenya could potentially unlock the full commercial potential of its sports sector.
“We are reviewing the sports policy to know how best the private sector can invest in stadiums,” Murkomen stated. He believes that private companies would have a better incentive to maintain these facilities and ensure they generate income through regular events, rather than allowing stadiums to fall into disrepair and then relying on the government for refurbishments every few years.
Government’s shouldn’t be owning stadia if we properly unlocked the potential that’s in the Sports sector. It’s a big shame that over sixty years since independence none of our football clubs own a stadium. The National Govt should only own 2 or 3 facilities for state functions… https://t.co/17pAm9qr3m
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) September 25, 2024
Murkomen is also advocating for counties to play a larger role in managing stadiums. He suggested that the national government should only retain ownership of two or three major facilities for state functions, while the rest should be managed by counties or private entities. This decentralized approach would not only relieve the national government of the burden of managing these facilities but also encourage local investment and participation in sports infrastructure development.
Creating an Investment-Friendly Environment
Another critical point in Murkomen’s proposal is the need to create an environment that encourages private-sector investment in sports. The government, he said, has a responsibility to provide the necessary conditions for investors to feel confident putting their money into sports infrastructure.
“My job is to create a conducive environment for investors to put their money in sports. This will help create wealth, grow the economy, and provide employment opportunities for our youth,” Murkomen explained.
For this to happen, however, Kenya needs to overhaul its sports policy. Murkomen confirmed that the government is currently reviewing the sports policy to determine how best to involve the private sector in stadium ownership and management. The revised policy is expected to provide clear guidelines on how private entities can invest in sports infrastructure and ensure that these investments are commercially viable.
The Benefits of Private Ownership
The benefits of private ownership of stadiums go beyond just better management. By allowing private companies or clubs to own stadiums, Kenya can unlock new revenue streams that could boost both the sports sector and the economy. For instance, privately owned stadiums could host concerts, corporate events, and other commercial activities that generate income, providing clubs with much-needed financial support.
Moreover, having well-maintained, commercially active stadiums would increase Kenya’s potential to host international sports events, further raising the country’s profile on the global stage.
A Bold New Vision for Kenyan Sports
Sports CS Kipchumba Murkomen’s call for private ownership of stadiums represents a bold new vision for Kenya’s sports sector. By advocating for a public-private partnership model, Murkomen is pushing for a shift that could revolutionize the management and commercialization of sports infrastructure in the country.
As the government reviews its sports policy, there is hope that Kenya will follow the path of countries like the UK, where private ownership has proven to be a sustainable and profitable model. If successful, Murkomen’s vision could lead to better-managed, revenue-generating stadiums, benefiting not only clubs like Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards but also the broader economy and sports sector in Kenya.
